A look into Tom MacDonald....

I know, only a few will avail themselves the time to watch this video. But to anyone that is familiar with Tom MacDonald will enjoy this.
Proof that we can't judge folks by their looks....

quote:

---

This video features an interview with independent rapper Tom MacDonald, hosted by Jillian Michaels. MacDonald discusses his unconventional journey to becoming a controversial yet highly successful independent artist (0:02-0:45).

Key aspects of his story include:
Early Life and Career Change: MacDonald initially pursued a career in professional wrestling but injuries forced him to change paths (2:50-3:43). He began writing poetry and songs, eventually transitioning to rap because he felt he couldn't sing (12:20-13:13).
Struggles with Addiction and Mental Health: He openly shares his battle with severe alcoholism and a profound mental breakdown, emphasizing how this experience divided his life into "pre-mental breakdown" and "post-mental breakdown" (13:28-18:03). He also discusses the challenges of the Canadian healthcare system in getting timely mental health support and being prescribed incorrect medications (20:39-22:20). He highlights the role of Ativan in providing temporary calm, which allowed him to seek the root of his problems, and the importance of lifestyle changes like quitting alcohol, nicotine, and fast food, and incorporating exercise (22:50-25:49).
Poverty and the Genesis of "Dear Rappers": MacDonald recounts living in extreme poverty in Los Angeles with his girlfriend Nova, where they struggled to afford basic necessities (28:09-31:07). It was during this period that he wrote "Dear Rappers," a song criticizing the mainstream hip-hop genre for its perceived lack of authenticity and complaining about fame, which resonated deeply with his own struggles (31:09-34:50).
Viral Success and Independence: The song "Dear Rappers" was released on Facebook with a borrowed budget of $1,100 for an ad, and it garnered 1.2 million views overnight, launching his career and enabling him to achieve financial freedom without a record label (36:00-39:00). He emphasizes his independence, stating that he "can't be canceled" because there's no label to drop him (0:08-0:12).

---